Verna's Egg Rolls with Plum Sauce

 I am having friends in Friday for a Chinese Meal. Well with Chinese you have to have egg rolls. I found a recipe that baked the egg rolls, the only problem was the ingredients. Well I made them into a Veggie Egg Roll and they were really good. I wanted to try them out before Friday to make sure I could serve to company and they would enjoy. I think they will love these. I will cut them in half on an angle to serve, but left them whole for the picture.Give them a try.

Ingredients:
This is my interpretation.

• 8 oz. cremini mushrooms chopped-these are the small portabellas.
• 4 green onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic, minced
• A good hand full of sugar pea pods, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped or grated
• 1 small can water chestnuts, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce-make sure it is low sodium- this was 65 milligrams.
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons Wyler's chicken bouillon, no sodium
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Large egg roll wrappers-Do not use wonton wrappers- I found them at Festival Foods with the produce
• 1 teaspoon EVOO.
• Plum Sauce-( I was going to make my own but no plums available this time of the year, so I bought Plum Sauce at Festival in the Asian Aisle...

Directions:

1. I chopped everything in my food processor, one type of vegetable at a time to the consistency I wanted.
2. Chop mushrooms to hamburger consistency, saute in coconut oil 2-4 minutes.
3. Add onions, garlic and carrots. Continue sauteing about 3 minutes or so.
4. Add water chestnuts and pea pods.
5. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and Worcestershire Sauce.
6. Add to veggie mixture with sesame oil and black pepper. cook another minute or so.
7. Place wrapper on work service and brush lightly with water.
   Add about 3 Tablespoons veggie mixture near the bottom and across the wrapper to a inch or so of the end of wrapper.
8. Roll up egg roll., pinch ends to seal.
9. Put on parchment lined baking sheet with seam side down.
10. Brush the tops of egg rolls lightly with EVOO so they brown.
11. Bake at 375 degrees about 20 minutes to 30 minutes until golden brown.. Watch closely, as you do not want to burn them.
12. When I took them out of the oven I placed them on paper toweling as there was some oil on them that dripped down.
13. Serve with Plum Sauce

In case you are interested I am making a Pineapple  Stir Fry with this. also Gingered Green Beans with Roasted slivered Almonds and still working on a dessert idea.

I will put it on my blog Friday if it turns out.

Enjoy!!!

Merry Christmas

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

  We can get caught up in the busyness of the season. But remember the greatest gift we can have this year is Jesus.
Make Him your Savior and Lord!!!

Enjoy today and Bless those around you!!! So many are hurting this time of the year, because of loss and broken relationships.

May the New Year bring you great health, also getting closer to the Lord, family and friends. We truly need one another!

Cranberry Orange Christmas Cookies

Vegan Dad sent me this recipe. His were much prettier than mine as he put a much larger hole in the center, plus decorated the edges of the cookie. Oh well, I was just too much in a hurry.. I did not have anything to make the larger hole, consequently some of my filling oozed out on the sides. They still taste wonderful but are quite rich. The cranberry filling is yummy in these cookies.
. Next time I would make them a lot smaller.

Ingredients:
Cookies:

• 1/2 cup refined coconut oil
• 1/2 cup Earth Balance
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 3/4 cup icing sugar-This is basically powdered sugar.
• 2 cups all purpose flour-I used Bob's Red Mill.

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
• 3 Tablespoons fresh range juice
• 3/4 cups healthy sugar
• Verna added 3-4 teaspoons orange zest
• 
  

Directions:

1. Heat cranberries and orange juice and zest to bubbling over medium heat.
2. Cook for about 5 minutes , mashing cranberries as they cook.
3. When cranberries are well mashed, add sugar and turn to high.
4. Cook for about 2 minutes at a rapid boil stirring constantly.
5. Filing is ready when it drips thickly off the spoon.
6. Use a spoon to pass the filling through a fine mesh sieve. I did not do that.

Directions for Cookies:

1. Cream together coconut oil and Earth Balance until light and fluffy. Add extracts.
2. Blend in icing sugar.
3. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Roll out dough on a lightly floweded surface to about 1/8 " thick.
5. Using a cookie cutter cut out as many shapes as possible.
6.  Using a smaller cutter  punch out the centers of half of them..these are your tops.
7. Roll out all dough until it is used up.
8. Place on prepared sheets and refrigerate about 30 minutes to firm up.
9. Preheat oven to 325 degrees-Bake cookies for 15-17 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
10. Cool cookies on the sheet for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool.
11. To assemble the cookies.
12. Spread the filling on the bottom half of the cookies.Don't spread to the edges, and mound up in the center of the cookie.
13. Put on the top on gently.

Make yours prettier than mine. Haste makes waste.

Chocolate Almond Brittle

Another OMG unbelievable yummy recipe from Colleen Patrick Goudreau book the Joy of Vegan Cooking. I have had this Cook Book for years and have not used it until my friend Carol J. told me about the great pumpkin pie recipe in the book.

This is so unbelievable easy I had to give most of it away so I would not devour it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Earth Balance
• 1/2 chocolate chips of choice
• About 6 rectangles of Graham Crackers, broken. Note picture to see size.
• 1 1/2 cups raw almonds toasted and chopped

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan melt the Earth Balance and chocolate chips.
2. Remove from heat, and pour in  the toasted, chopped almonds and graham crackers.
3. Stir gently not to break graham crackers-you do not want crumbs.
4. Pour out on parchment lined baking sheet, single layer.
5. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Tips from Verna's Test Kitchen:

1. The recipe was so small so I doubled the recipe. Above is a single recipe Didn't take too much to figure this was going to be yummy!!
2. I  did about 10 rectangles of graham crackers.

 NOTE:
I made this for the second time this morning. I replace half of the Earth Balance with virgin coconut oil. The coconut oil is so much better for you than the Earth Balance. Also I used only half of the nuts called for. It was very good.

Enjoy!!!

Coconut, Dried Fruit Candies

I found this recipe in The Joy of Vegan Cooking by Colleen-Patrick Goudreau
 Very easy to make and oh so very yummy. If you want a healthier candy for Christmas try these.Plus they are quick and easy to make.
Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup walnuts
• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
• 3 tablespoons lemon or orange juice.

Directions:

1. In a food processor combine apricots, dates, raisins and walnuts. Process for  about 1 minute.
2. Add 1cup of the coconut, zest and orange juice.
3. Process for  another 1-2 minutes.
4. Wet hands and form in small balls.
5. Roll in coconut and put on baking sheet lined with parchment paper..

Tips from Verna's Test Kitchen:

1. I used orange juice plus 2-3 teaspoons orange zest.
2. I did not have apricots so used  dried pineapple ( which I had just dried ) and  dried cranberries .
3. After pureeing in a food processor, I refrigerated the mixture for an hour or so. It made it a lot easier to roll.
4. These freeze up beautifully.

enjoy!!!

Mexican Wedding Cookies-Splenda linked to Cancer-Please Read-Cherie Clabom

By Cherie Clabom- The Juice Lady

Splenda Linked to Cancer Splenda has been found to release cancer-causing dioxins in food.  A new review study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health reported that researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that sucralose (Splenda) releases cancer-causing dioxins in food when baked or heated, which is one of its primary marketed uses. The Department of Pharmacology at Duke University challenges a number of claims of Splenda's alleged safety, including the claim by its manufacturer, McNeil Nutritionals, that sucralose passes through the body completely undigested. Evidence shows this is false. The authors warn that when sucralose is used for cooking at high temperatures it generates chloropropanols-- chemicals that may be linked to a higher risk of cancer.  Sucralose was also found in the study to alter the expressions of P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P in a manner similar to organochlorine drugs. This suggests that sucralose is actually more of a drug than it is a food additive. It has no business being indiscriminately added to food without a proper drug warning. Learn more... For your holiday baking, I recommend pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, xylitol (made from Finish birch bark only), and stevia (my top choice).

Gluten-Free Mexican Wedding Cookies Mexican wedding cookies are a wonderful treat to include in your Christmas gift bags.    1 ½ cups blanched almond flour (or your favorite gluten free flour) 1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt ⅛ teaspoon baking soda 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil 2 tablespoons coconut sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped ½ cup powdered coconut sugar In a food processor combine almond flour, salt and baking soda Pulse in coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla Mix in pecans by hand Use a 1 tablespoon ice cream scoop to scoop dough in small amounts* Use your hands to form cookies into balls, pressing very firmly Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes Remove from oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes Dip cookies into powdered coconut sugar**    Makes 18 cookies * When you make these cookies, be sure to press the dough into balls very firmly so they don’t fall apart after they are baked, this is an important step so do not skip it! Also be sure to form tablespoon-sized balls so that the cookies are bite sized. **To stick to the classic version of this recipe, roll the cookies in powdered coconut sugar instead of granular coconut sugar. To make the powdered coconut sugar called for in this recipe simply blend your regular coconut sugar up in a vitamin or on high speed in your blender or coffee grinder. I make a cup at a time and store leftover powdered coconut sugar in a glass mason jar. Homemade powdered coconut sugar keeps for a few weeks when stored this way. If you can tolerate xylitol (many people with gut and digestive issues cannot), you can make powdered xylitol sugar.

Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Pudding

This would be a great dessert to serve at any time as it can be prepared and put in the refrigerator for up to three days. It can be baked just before serving. Actually I made this yesterday, froze it, toke this one out of he freezer for this picture. Freezing works great. I made these in small ramekins for individual serving. They are just so cute and yummy looking.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned coconut milk-I used the entire can
• 15 oz can pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons of a healthy brown sugar.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2-3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg-I used freshly ground1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4teaspoon ground cloves7-8 cups dried bread
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips of choice

I added also

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1/2 cup almond milk

Directions:

1. Break a loaf of healthy bread into bite size pieces and dry in the oven
2. In a food processor combine coconut milk, pumpkin, 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, milk, maple syrup and spices until smooth.
3. Add mixture to dry bread with chocolate chips.
4. If using ramekins sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar in the bottom of greased ramekin.I did not do this but should have.
5. Fill ramekin and press down.
6. If using  glass pan, grease. fill the pan with the mixture, press down and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the top.
7. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown-30 minutes or so.
8. Serve warm.
9. Oh yes that is a vegan whipping cream on top. I bought at Festival in the freezer compartment in the natural food aisle.

The recipe said to use a 9"by 13" glass pan or 12 ramekins. I am not sure how you would fill either as I used only 8 ramekins. I would think that a 8" square glass pan may be sufficient. You will know when you make this. Also I do not remember how long I bake it. It was about 30 minutes or so. was busy doing other things and don't remember. Don't you just hate that, when someone does that.

Enjoy!!!

Cherie's Chocolate Pudding

id=templateFooter v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"> "Let juice be your medicine, and your medicine be your juice.”   v:shapes="_x0000_s1027"> > Books to Help You Shape Up My latest book "The Juice Lady's Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies" and "The Juice Lady’s Turbo Diet" will help you get in shape after the holidays. Also,  "The Juice Lady’s Living Foods Revolution" and "Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life" make great companion books.   The Juice Lady’s Remedies for Stress & Adrenal Fatigue Stress has become an epidemic in our country and a leading cause of many illnesses and issues. Fight back with these all-natural juice remedies. Events You Won't Want to Miss! Jan 9-11: Jumpstart: Supernatural Health Conference Feb 15-23: Health & Fitness Cruise Mar 23 - 28: Juice Lady’s Health & Wellness Cleanse Retreat May 18 - 23: Juice Lady’s Health & Wellness Cleanse Retreat Give a Gift of Health Do you have a friend, relative, or coworker who needs a health reboot? A juice book makes a great gift to get someone started on a healthier path. For that special person on your list, you could give a juicer--a true gift of life.  And for a person you really love--send them to our January Jumpstart Your Health Conference or our Trinity Health and Wellness Retreat. Best Holiday Gift Book for the Health Nut on Your List The Juice Lady’s Big Book of Juices and Green Smoothies (It was just recommended by theBlot.com) Health Tip of the Week   It’s that time of year when sweets surround us.  If you’ve been resisting the bad stuff, but want a great holiday treat, try my raw chocolate pudding.  Avoid sugar; it depresses the immune system.  Completely avoid Splenda and Nutra Sweet; both are damaging to your health. It’s the happiest time of the year!  Have a few laughs in your kitchen making healthy food! Recipe of the Week Raw Chocolate Pudding Ingredients 2 tablespoons virgin organic coconut oil 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia* 3 dates soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and chopped 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 2 ripe avocados 1/2 cup cacao powder 1/2 to 1 cup almond or coconut milk Pinch Celtic sea salt *Recommend Sweet Leaf Vanilla Creme Topping Options (choose what you like) Chopped pistachios Chopped walnuts Chopped fresh strawberries Raspberries Fresh mint leaves Shredded coconut 1. Add ingredients to a blender or food processor in this order: oil, sweetener, dates, vanilla, avocados, cocoa powder, half the non-dairy milk, sea salt. 2. Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Add additional non-dairy milk as needed until the pudding is the consistency you want. A little on the thin side is best since it will thicken after chilling in the refrigerator. 3. Spoon into ramekins or bowls, cover and chill. 4. Top with your favorite fruits or nuts. Enjoy! The Health Impacts Regarding Fracking I have been asked why I’ve written about fracking. I want you to be aware of its negative effects on health. I often see people whose health has been severely harmed by toxicity in their bodies. Environmental chemicals have caused untold suffering and loss of life.  Though the argument on the other side is that fracking is good for our economy and will help our country not be as dependent on fuel from the Middle East, we must ask how many lives are we willing to sacrifice for the economy?  We can use conventional drilling, but this non-conventional practice of oil and gas drilling needs to be stopped primarily because of all the health-damaging chemicals required in the process.  As a nutritionist, my first goal is to help people stay healthy or recover from illness through natural remedies. What is Fracking? Hydrofracking is a controversial oil and gas extraction technique developed in the late 1940s to gain access to fossil energy deposits previously inaccessible to drilling operations. The process, "hydraulic fracturing," literally involves the smashing of rock with millions of gallons of water--along with sand and an undisclosed assortment of chemicals in order to bring gas to the surface. Due to the multitude of potential health and environmental impacts of hydrofracking source contamination can be complicated. The well location where drilling takes place is only one piece of the fracking puzzle. Since each well can require up to 8 million gallons of water, and up to 40,000 gallons of chemicals, a well site may need up to 2000 tanker truck trips, per frack. A well can be fracked up to 20 times.  This leads to contamination of groundwater and exposure to toxic chemicals to the people living in the area. Health Impacts From Fracking Health impacts from fracking are only now being examined by health experts, since such large-scale drilling is a recent phenomenon. Exposure to toxic chemicals even at low levels can cause tremendous harm to humans; the endocrine system is sensitive to chemical exposures measuring in parts-per-billions, or less. Nevertheless, many of the health risks from the toxins used during the fracking process do not express themselves immediately, and require studies looking into long-term health effects. A 2011 article in the journal, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, examined the potential health impacts of oil and gas drilling in relation to the chemicals used during drilling, fracking, processing, and delivery of natural gas. The paper compiled a list of 632 chemicals (an incomplete list due to trade secrecy exemptions) identified from drilling operations throughout the U.S. Their research found that 75% of the chemicals could affect the skin, eyes, and other sensory organs, and the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Approximately 40–50% could affect the brain/nervous system, immune and cardiovascular systems, and the kidneys; 37% could affect the endocrine system; and 25% could cause cancer and mutations. My friend Nan owns a farm in Washington state.  She’s very concerned about fracking and how it could ruin their well water and the lovely stream that runs through their property.  She is collecting signatures to help stop this health-damaging process.  Please email her and she’ll get your name added to the petition - nan.monk@gmail.com. Notes These are excerpts taken from Geology and Human Health. For more information...

Refried Beans

If you have bought refried beans you know how extremely high they are in sodium. I am teaching classes on making vegetable burrito's and have a hard time finding refried beans that are less than 390 mg of sodium. some go over 600 mg of sodium.
Plus it is so quick and easy to make your own with hardly any sodium.

 Refried Bean Recipe:

• 1/2 onion, chopped and sauted.
• 1 15 oz. Kuners Pinto Beans with 10 mg. sodium, rinsed and drained.
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons tomato paste.
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 3/4-1 cup veg broth-low sodium-Start with the 3/4 cup, you can always add more if needed.
•  Put everything in a food processor and puree.
• Cook ingredients for 5 min or so

How is that for easy, and hardly any sodium.

Enjoy!
I will post the veg tortillas later today.  They are really yummy. Need to run!!!